Malaysia’s handling of the search for the missing Flight MH370 has turned the official seen as being groomed to be the country’s next Prime Minister into a lightning rod for criticism, hurting his chances to lead the nation.

Defence Minister and Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has led almost all the daily press conferences since the Malaysia Airlines plane went missing on March 8. The relative of three Prime Ministers and the grandson of the ruling party’s founder has stoked ire among passengers’ families and China with his self-contradictions and failure to provide definitive answers.

… “For Mr Hishammuddin, this is indeed another massive setback for his political career,” said Dr Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Malaysia programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. “He failed to show leadership in this current issue. In a party where strong leadership is essential, this might spell the end of his political career.”

… “Everybody knows Hisham is the heir presumptive,” said Dr Oh Ei Sun, a former political secretary to Mr Najib during the time Mr Hishammuddin was Home Minister. “Whatever facade he puts up as a minister and as national leader, he is actually a person with quite a lot of feelings and empathy. He’s certainly not one of those who is aloof and shuts off people.”